Suffering a brain injury can instantly affect every aspect of your life, from your health to your ability to work and support your family. If you sustained such harm because of someone else’s reckless behavior, you may be entitled to file a brain injury lawsuit to hold them accountable and recover compensation to cover your losses, like medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress. Navigating the legal process on your own can be stressful, especially if you are trying to maintain your symptoms or are caring for a family member who was diagnosed.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our skilled Beverly Hills brain injury lawyers can provide insight on how to move forward with such a claim. With more than 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases and securing over $1.7 billion in settlements, we have a proven track record of providing satisfactory results for our clients. If you are unsure where to begin or want to understand what your rights are, we welcome you to get in touch with us and set up a FREE consultation.
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you do not owe us anything unless we successfully settle your case. To get started, you can contact us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our quick online contact form.
What Exactly Is a Brain Injury?
A brain injury is when damage is done to the brain as a result of external trauma, such as a car accident or an internal factor (stroke or infection). If done by forceful impact, the head may endure strong contact, get shaken up, or even pierced. Brain injuries may range from mild to life-threatening conditions. Since the brain has the ability to control every bodily function, injuries can tamper with thinking, memory, balance, mood, personality, speech, and vision. Some symptoms may arise immediately after the impact whereas others can develop within hours or days later.
How Many People Suffer Traumatic Brain Injuries Each Year?
While Beverly Hills does not have its own specific statistics covering traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, national data helps illustrate the severity of such injuries across the United States.ย
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 214,110 people have been hospitalized for TBIs in 2020, and 69,473 died from TBI-related causes in 2021. That translates to over 586 hospitalizations and 190 deaths each day. This information does not include the large number of TBI cases that are treated in emergency departments, primary or urgent care settings, or the many that go untreated. Adults 75 and older had the highest rates of hospitalizations and deaths, contributing to 32% of all TBI-related visits and 28% of deaths. Males were also twice as likely to get hospitalized for a TBI and three times more likely to die in comparison to females.
Are You Ever the Same after a Brain Injury?
A person can rarely go back to being the same after a brain injury. The outcome of recovery will vary for each person. While some may notice significant improvements, others may experience long-term changes with their memory, concentration, behavior, sleep, and overall cognitive function. Even if you have a mild concussion, it can involve lingering symptoms if it has yet to be handled properly. This is why seeking medical treatment as soon as possible is important. Early detection can reduce further complications. Some individuals may return to their baseline over time, while others may go through challenges that can impact their day-to-day lifestyle. How someone heals will depend on the intensity of the brain injury, how soon they were diagnosed, and if they have been committed to their treatment plan.
Can You Recover 100% From Brain Injury?
It can be possible, in some cases, to recover 100% from a brain injury, but it is not always guaranteed. Some people may notice improvements, especially if it was a mild case, whereas others may continue to experience long-term issues with memory, concentration, mood, or balance. A major factor that will help with full recovery is how quickly you seek medical attention. As previously stated, diagnosis and treatment in the early stages can help maintain symptoms and prevent them from worsening. With proper rest, monitoring, and follow-up care, it could make a big difference with the condition of the brain. While there are individuals who can regain 100% of their function, some will experience long-term effects based on the severity of damage, which area of the brain is affected, and how consistent they are with their care plan
Can You Sue for Brain Injury in Beverly Hills?
You can sue for a brain injury if someone else’s negligence caused it. Such harm can arise as a result of a car accident, slip and fall incident, physical assault, or a sports injury. If brain damage involves certain symptoms that are long-term, like memory loss, headaches, or cognition issues, you may have grounds to pursue legal action against the at fault party to recover compensation. To succeed with your personal injury case, you will need to show that the other party’s actions contributed to dangerous conditions that resulted in your injury.ย
Defendants may vary depending on the factors surrounding your situation. In some cases, it could be a property owner’s fault for not keeping the area safe for visitors to enter. Drivers may also be met with legal consequences if they do not comply with traffic laws. And if government entities were unable to address damaged roads, they could also be involved in brain injury lawsuits if victims tripped and fell as a result of uneven pavements.ย
How Do You Prove a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Proving a TBI will require you to have documentation at hand that can connect the harm you endured with what initially caused it. Everything will start at the accident scene, whether the injury happened near Wilshire Boulevard or Santa Monica Boulevard, or at a high-traffic intersection surrounding the Golden Triangle. Photos and video footage of the incident can show how your brain injury occurred. Witness statements provided by nearby shoppers, restaurant staff, or even valet workers at hotels, such as the Beverly Hilton, may also strengthen your personal injury claim.
Medical documentation is also helpful. If you were admitted to a local healthcare facility, like Cedars-Sinai or UCLA Medical Center, they may give you a copy of your records pertaining to your diagnosis that was linked to the accident in addition to the tests used to confirm your condition and the treatment you are receiving to maintain your symptoms. Medical bills will also play an important role. Payment records will not only show what expenses you were charged, but how severe the injury is, as well. You can use this information to construct a financial timeline that the insurance company will have to acknowledge when evaluating your claim.
Combined, accident-site evidence, medical records, and treatment expenses can help you build a strong foundation to prove TBI and show how it has impacted your life.
What Is the Time Limit for a Brain Injury Claim?
The time limit to file a brain injury claim in Beverly Hills is two years from the date of when the incident occurred (California Code of Civil Procedure ยง 335.1). Missing the deadline will bar you from having the opportunity to seek compensation for the losses you suffered. However, there are some important exceptions. For instance, if the brain injury was not immediately known or diagnosed, the clock will begin once the injury has been discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
If your situation involves a government entity, like a city, county, or other public agency, you will have to file an administrative claim within six months under the Government Claims Act (Government Code ยง 911.2). Since brain injuries may have delayed symptoms, like memory loss, mood swings, or cognitive decline, it is important that you document your experience early on and act promptly to protect your legal rights.
What’s the Most a Beverly Hills Lawyer Can Take From a Settlement?
Most personal injury law firms operate on a contingency-fee basis. This means that there are no upfront legal fees. A portion of the final settlement will be deducted to compensate your attorney for the services they provided if they successfully settle your case. A Beverly Hills brain injury lawyer will work closely with medical experts to help explain the full extent of your injury, calculate long-term medical expenses, and demonstrate how the incident has affected your overall lifestyle. They will help strengthen your claim to ensure you secure compensation for any damages you endured, including hospital fees, lost income, and emotional distress.
Suffered a Brain Injury in Beverly Hills? Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Support You
If you or a loved one suffered harm as a result of someone else’s negligence, West Coast Trial Lawyers is committed to helping clients navigate every step of the legal system with confidence and thoroughness. We will work diligently to make sure you receive fair treatment and that your rights are protected throughout the process. Our Beverly Hills brain injury attorneys will act in your best interests, work to build a well-constructed claim, and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Let us handle the legal burden so you can focus on your recovery. To book a FREE consultation, you can connect with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our convenient online contact form.
